The Rugby World Cup in 15 figures

2023-09-04 09:55:10

The tenth edition of the Rugby World Cup begins on September 8 in France with the match between the Blues and New Zealand. A planetary sporting event dissected in 15 figures.

After an unprecedented hook by Asia in 2019, the Rugby World Cup returns to Europe, where it is organized for the fifth time. France, which had already been the host country in 2007, is preparing to experience seven intense weeks in the oval. After three lost finals in 1987, 1999 and 2011, the Blues have the hope of finally winning this competition dominated during the nine previous editions by three nations from the Southern hemisphere: New Zealand, South Africa and the ‘Australia. England, in 2003, was the only European nation to have managed to win the Webb Ellis Trophy.

20

Divided between 4 groups, 20 teams are competing: they come from Europe (9), Oceania (5), South America (3), Africa (2) and Asia (1). For the first time since the first World Cup in 1987, North America has no representatives as Canada and the United States failed to qualify.

51

The tenth edition is spread over 51 days, or more than 7 weeks, due to a recommendation adopted by the World Rugby body at the end of the 2019 World Cup. A team must have a minimum rest period of 5 days between two matches, in order to preserve the health of the players. Initially scheduled for October 21, the final of the 2023 edition has been postponed by one week.

660

Each participating team has 33 players, up from 31 previously. This increase should contribute to better management of the workforce and allow coaches to preserve certain elements. It is also possible to call on additional players during the competition in the event of an injury noted by an independent doctor.

1

A new country makes its appearance in the World Cup, Chile, which becomes the 26th nation to participate in this competition. He will be accompanied in France by two other South American countries, Argentina and Uruguay.

1491

This is the number of gold, silver and bronze medals struck by the Paris Mint for this sporting event. They were made from more than 200,000 recycled phones. The organizers thus wanted to show their ambition to reduce the environmental impact of this competition.

10

The 48 matches of the competition will take place in 10 French cities. The Stade de France, with a capacity of 80,000 seats, will host 10 matches, including 6 final phase matches. Two quarter-finals will take place in Marseille, as well as 4 group matches. The other matches are distributed between Bordeaux (5), Toulouse (5), Lyon (5), Lille (5), Nantes (4), Nice (4) and Saint-Étienne (4).

200

Two centuries ago, a student from an establishment located in the English town of Rugby grabbed a ball in his hand during a football match. William Webb Ellis had just given birth to the first form of rugby football. This historical version, contested by some, was ratified by a commission at the end of the 19th century which retained 1823 as the date of birth of this sport. And the name of William Webb Ellis, whose remains lie in Menton, France, was given to the trophy rewarding the world champion team. World rugby celebrate this year this bicentenary.

38

The Webb Ellis Trophy is much older than the first edition of this competition organized in 1987. According to World Rugby, it was made in 1906, and measures 38 cm for a weight of 4.5 kilos. It was made from solid silver and 24k gold plated.

3

The 2023 Rugby World Cup in 15 figures © FMM Graphic Studio

Reigning world champions South Africa and New Zealand have each won three World Cups. They are ahead of Australia, crowned in 1991 and 1999, and England who won in 2003.

2 500 000

This is the number of tickets that should find takers, according to Jacques Rivoal, president of the World Cup Organizing Committee. During the previous edition in Japan, 1.84 million seats were sold, or 99% of the seats on sale, a record.

600 000

The British should represent half of the approximately 600,000 foreign spectators expected in France, with a very strong contingent of English visitors. The Irish should also come in numbers to support their team, which is among the favorites for the Tournament.

7

France and New Zealand have already faced each other 7 times in the World Cup. The All Blacks have won 5 times, notably beating the Blues in the 1987 and 2011 finals. The 8th confrontation is scheduled for September 8 at the Stade de France, for the opening match of the 10th edition.

26

To referee the 48 matches of this 10th edition, 26 officials were selected, including two Frenchmen, Pierre Brousset and Mathieu Raynal. The latter is one of the 12 field referees who will direct the matches, while Pierre Brousset will have an assistant role. Irishwoman Joy Neville, the only woman on this list, will be the video referee.

106 858

Among the 20 nations participating in this competition, Tonga is the least populated country, with only 106,858 inhabitants recorded in 2022. The Tongans, who have already played in 8 World Cups, will play in Group D alongside South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and Romania.

15

This is the number of players on the field for each team at kickoff of a match. Eight others take their place on the bench of substitutes or “finishers”, a term which has become common in modern rugby.